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Updates given at SEED meeting

Various updates were given by SEED (Sweetwater Enterprise for Economic Development) staff during the group's board of directors meeting, which took place on Monday morning, October 8, 2012.Ken Becker, the Executive Director, discussed several companies who are already making a positive dent into local unemployment numbers. Select Energy Services, who expected to bring in up to 50 jobs, is now anticipating an increase in work force, prior to their arrival. Other local businesses, such as Mercer Well Service, are also seeing job growth.Construction work also continues at incoming facilities, such as the dirt work for the Love's Truck Stop. Exterior work is also already taking place for the new Golden Chick restaurant.An update on the wind industry was also given, with Sweetwater doing well. SEED will be attending the AWEA (American Wind Energy Association) conference set for this December, and are also currently working with the organization to help plan the event, which will be held in Houston.Regarding oil and gas, the local TSTC (Texas State Technical College) campus is looking at getting involved in the industry by providing short-term and long-term training. Representatives with the college are expected to attend the November SEED meeting--set for November 12--to further discuss the matter.And following next month's meeting, the board will take part in a planning retreat with SEED staff, which allows the board and staff to determine the future outlook and direction of the group.A brief discussion was also held among Becker and the board on a lot owned by SEED and a potential buyer for the lot; the area will be appraised, following the board's desire to look into the possibility.Also during the meeting, the Asst. Marketing/Admin. Director, Kirstin Smith, gave a brief report. She announced that SEED recently obtained the silver award for their website from the International Economic Development Council for cities with a population of 20,000 and under.Additionally, SEED's website now includes a downloadable form with includes new demographic information. The property listings section, Smith added, has proven to be an invaluable tool in conversations with potential clients.